El Nino Triggering Agricultural Crisis in Andhra Pradesh, Says YS Sharmila

Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president YS Sharmila has alleged that the state is facing a serious agricultural crisis due to the impact of El Nino and deficient rainfall, accusing the government of failing to take timely preventive measures.

Sharmila said Andhra Pradesh received only 86.51 mm of rainfall between June 1 and mid-July, against the normal 166.76 mm for the period. She warned that the state could continue to face a rainfall deficit of up to 40% over the next three months, putting agricultural activity under further stress.

According to Sharmila, the weather conditions have affected nearly 50 lakh acres, with extensive areas of farmland remaining uncultivated across Rayalaseema, North Andhra and coastal Andhra.

She criticised the government for allegedly ignoring advance warnings about El Nino and failing to activate contingency plans or emergency measures. Sharmila said district-wise assessments of drought-like conditions should have been conducted and farmers guided towards alternative crops suited to low-water conditions.

She also called for scientific planning in the supply of seeds and fertilisers, irrigation and drinking-water management, and groundwater utilisation.

Sharmila demanded adequate compensation per acre for damaged crops and free or subsidised seeds for alternative crops such as millets and pulses. She sought measures to ensure irrigation water reaches farmers in tail-end areas, along with restructuring of agricultural loans and fresh interest-free credit for affected cultivators.

The Congress leader also demanded a comprehensive assessment of El Nino-related crop losses and free crop insurance coverage for affected farmers. For dairy farmers, she sought special subsidies to meet the cost of fodder and feed.

Sharmila urged the state government to treat the rainfall shortage as an immediate agricultural challenge and implement coordinated relief, water-management and farmer-support measures before the situation deteriorates further.